Washing your face is something we do every day. Yet many of us have absolutely no clue how to do it correctly. Let's go over some common mistakes people make when cleansing.
If you want to have radiant skin, you should start by washing your face the right way. By dedicating just a few minutes a day to your skin will make a world of difference.
So, how should you be washing your face?
1. Always use lukewarm water
Wash your face with lukewarm or cool water. Not cold, not hot. This will revitalize your face in a matter of seconds and remove impurities. Washing your face in the shower may not be the best option as the water tends to be way hotter than recommended for the skin. Cleanse thoroughly BEFORE you hit the shower!
2. Remove makeup before cleansing your face
If you use makeup, the first thing you should do is remove eye and lip makeup with an oil-based cleanser and then face makeup with cleansing milk or oil if you use foundation and concealer. Only then should you proceed with washing. Do so by massaging the cleanser gently for about a minute, then rinse. This step is important to remove any sunscreen and foundation and gently stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Removing makeup with a muslin cloth also works as a gentle exfoliation.
3. Use a face towel
The towel that you use to dry your face cannot be the same that you use to dry your hands or your body. Bacteria or products you use for the rest of the body may remain on the towel and this will cause irritation on your face or even breakouts. That's why those cute tiny face towels exist in the first place. Make sure you wash yours every couple of days and always dry it well to keep bacteria at bay.
4. Change the frequency of washing according to your skin type
The face should be washed morning and night if you have oily skin, and doing it only at night is enough for normal to dry skin. This way, you will not affect the pH of your skin. If you just love cleansing in the morning, use gentle and natural products or simply splash with water.
5. Prep your face for serums and creams
After cleansing your face, it's good to use a mist or a toner to balance out the PH, especially if you live somewhere where water is hard. One of the most effective natural toners is rosewater. Just moisten a cotton ball with rose water and apply it to the face with small touches. Then use your serum or night cream of choice. Make sure you do not do face massage using serums, just face oils or moisturizers. When massaged in, serums can cause irritation, since they contain many actives.
Once a week, opt for just cleansing and toning (no creams or serums), and let your skin rest.
6. Switch up the products
You don't need to invest in an expensive cleanser as it's not a product that stays on your skin for a long time. Try to go for a gentle one with natural ingredients and that doesn't contain harsh chemicals that will strip your skin, causing dry patches. Once or twice a week use a cleansing balm for deeper cleansing treatment. Many come with a muslin cloth that you can use with hot water to open the pores and get rid of any debris. You can also use a gentle exfoliant containing AHA or BHA. Chemical exfoliants are better for your skin than physical ones, as they won't scratch the surface of your skin, damaging the pores and capillaries in the process.
Bonus tip: When removing your eye makeup, soak two cotton rounds in your makeup remover and gently press them onto your eyes. Leave on for a minute and then wipe off the remaining mascara. Leaving the cotton rounds on will soak the lashes and remove eyeshadow and mascara without tugging the delicate skin.
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